Public Story
Cobalt Mining in Idaho
Summary
Images from the only cobalt mine in North America in Salmon Idaho July 2023. Photos made for the Wall Street Journal
The mine has been built by the Australian mining company Jervois in 2019, but has yet to commence mining cobalt as the price of too low to make a profit.
Bryce Crocker, CEO of Jervois has pointed to cratering cobalt prices fueled by Chinese mining in the Congo, which produces about 70 percent of the world’s cobalt. Most of that cobalt is processed in China for use in EV batteries. Despite having its necessary permits in hand, Crocker said the mine will sit idle in the remote Salmon River Mountains along the state’s historic cobalt belt until the price of the mineral climbs up to $25 per pound.
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